Luxobarges are more trouble that they are worth

737max · 18-10-2015 11:39AM #1

As the owner of a modest luxobarge which is off the road but in perfect working order I'm beginning to struggle to see the benefit of them.
honestly, i'd prefer to drive my modern focus sized car.
modern cars of this size are now near as refined as luxobarges of a decade ago.

with 25mpg on average for a luxobarge, loaded insurance, high tax on higher CC engine, more frequent NCTs with testers giving themselves a hernia to find fault with the car and just the general upkeep on a car which is in good general order but getting on in years it isn't the most pleasant way of motoring.

My new car has extras I don't have on my luxobarge like parking sensors all around, cameras, auto everything, electric parking brakes, hilll hold, traction control, tpms, folding mirrors, glass roof, big screen with sat nav, bluetooth, media player, dsg transmission, heated seats, multi-zone climate control, quality interior materials, etc.....

the new car is easy on fuel, cheap to tax and insure, doesn't have to go near a workshop or test centre and warranted for years to come.

I can still appreciate where my luxobarge is better engineered but the new car is great in its own ways too and totally worry free.

My biggest issue is that luxobarges of 10 years ago don't have the technology of today's cars. I don't want to go back to a car with manual handbrake or without GPS which tells me where traffic jams are or the reversing camera or the parking sensors. I fear these features will in future be taken for granted and make luxobarges that are only 10 years old sale-proof.

If I didn't have the luxobarge in the morning and needed transport I'd probably be buying a well specified new car on Finance and it would cost me no more to run or probably less than the luxobarge.

That said, I'm not selling my luxobarge and I derive huge enjoyment from just starting it and admiring it from a distance or while listening to the engine revving when I press the accelerator.

Sh1tbag OToole · 18-10-2015 11:45AM

The fog lights on my new car aren't bright enough rabble rabble

daRobot · 18-10-2015 11:48AM

Doesn't sound like your luxobarge is a luxobarge at all.

What car is is anyway?

737max · 18-10-2015 11:54AM

I avoid mentioning the model of either new or old car as the tread will just descend in to a thread to insult my cars.
Actually my luxobarge has multi-zone climate control and reversing sensors and has an engine with plenty of cylinders and extras you'd still find rare on mainstream modern cars but not the extras that people value now.

Toyotafanboi · 18-10-2015 11:57AM

I think the main people into luxobarges are generally also members of the "there's no replacement for displacement" gang , that and/ or the "patina appreciation society".

I'd have to agree for the most part though. Running a luxobarge in a lot of cases can be a costly, stressful, thankless exercise. Given the bills involved I don't see the appeal myself vs a more modern vehicle, when looking at how technology has progressed, as pointed out. But I guess some people enjoy smoking too, so common sense doesn't always prevail in life; enjoyment, yada yada.

I think luxobarging is probably more enjoyable and easier to appreciate in other countries where tax and fuel are cheaper and parts are less scarce.

biko · 18-10-2015 11:57AM

Don't paint all luxobarges with one stroke because you're not happy with your particular one.

daRobot · 18-10-2015 11:59AM

737max wrote: »

I avoid mentioning the model of either new or old car as the tread will just descend in to a thread to insult my cars.

Well your thread has little purpose then. It's just a generic rant.

737max · 18-10-2015 12:07PM

biko wrote: »

Don't paint all luxobarges with one stroke because you're not happy with your particular one.

I'm happy with my luxobarge and it took me a long time to find it having had a version of it previously that wasn't quite what I wanted.

ba_barabus · 18-10-2015 12:10PM

So basically you have an old car that's expensive to run and you've bought a new car which has been surprisingly cheap to run and well specced.

It's called progress and it happens with every generation of cars.

bear1 · 18-10-2015 12:40PM

It's not a Lexus by any chance is it?

Mycroft H · 18-10-2015 12:50PM

Or an Alfa 166

:pac::pac::pac::D

I joke, I joke.....

*Kol* · 18-10-2015 12:54PM

Given the choice I would rather put the equivalent cost of running a luxobarge into running a really nice newer car i.e. Put the money that would be used on fuel, motor tax, maintenance etc into paying a loan off. I guess it's personal preference at the end of the day.

ba_barabus · 18-10-2015 12:54PM

I bet it's a Pug 607

Voodoomelon · 18-10-2015 01:05PM

Funny you chose a Focus as a comparison, my father has one and compared to my 7, it is a toy car in my view. I can't believe people actually spend over €20,000 on something with zero refinement, plastic everywhere, horribly uncomfortable seats, ridiculous levels or road noise and hardly any spec. I feel so vulnerable sitting in it.

Plenty of 10 year luxobarges have the specification you mention above. You're right to question the hassle though, there is inherent unreliability with any 10 year old car and the costs are very high. But not a chance are standard modern cars any more comfortable, better specced or as refined as a large engined flagship.

_Kaiser_ · 18-10-2015 01:11PM

737max wrote: »

As the owner of a modest luxobarge which is off the road but in perfect working order I'm beginning to struggle to see the benefit of them.
honestly, i'd prefer to drive my modern focus sized car.
modern cars of this size are now near as refined as luxobarges of a decade ago.

with 25mpg on average for a luxobarge, loaded insurance, high tax on higher CC engine, more frequent NCTs with testers giving themselves a hernia to find fault with the car and just the general upkeep on a car which is in good general order but getting on in years it isn't the most pleasant way of motoring.

I'd agree with some of this... as the owner of a 2005 3.0 TDI A6 the fuel bill is significant (but then I do anywhere from 1000-1500km a week), the tax bill is extortionate (€1600 a year or €420 every quarter), and now that she's over 10 years, an annual NCT has to be factored in alright.

My new car has extras I don't have on my luxobarge like parking sensors all around, cameras, auto everything, electric parking brakes, hilll hold, traction control, tpms, folding mirrors, glass roof, big screen with sat nav, bluetooth, media player, dsg transmission, heated seats, multi-zone climate control, quality interior materials, etc.....

Actually my car has most of that and more....
Auto xenon lights with cornering and coming/leaving home functions, auto wipers, front/rear parking sensors with display, folding/electic mirrors with auto-dimming and they even dip when you stick it in reverse to make parking easier, full color screen, multi-zone climate, Bose Audio with USB connections, electronic handbrake, DSG-style gearbox with paddle shifts, leather electric memory seats, electric rear sunblinds etc

Trying to find a modern equivalent with all that is nigh on impossible IMO. I'll probably need to trade up to an A8 next because it has a higher base spec.

My biggest issue is that luxobarges of 10 years ago don't have the technology of today's cars. I don't want to go back to a car with manual handbrake or without GPS which tells me where traffic jams are or the reversing camera or the parking sensors. I fear these features will in future be taken for granted and make luxobarges that are only 10 years old sale-proof.

As above, my issue is finding a newer car in the same bracket with all that

That said, I'm not selling my luxobarge and I derive huge enjoyment from just starting it and admiring it from a distance or while listening to the engine revving when I press the accelerator.

Ah yes... I still get a smile from mine every day almost 3 years later. Still looks fresh, the interior has worn very well, and with nearly 300,000km on her she still runs perfectly, and the extra power is very handy when you need it, not to mention far more comfortable on a motorway trip.

If anything, it has me spoiled and going to anything less would be VERY hard - hence why I'm considering A8's and even CLS Mercs as possible replacements (at some stage next year ideally).

The Sidewards Man · 18-10-2015 01:12PM

What defines a luxobarge? value, type of car etc.

daRobot · 18-10-2015 01:44PM

The Sidewards Man wrote: »

What defines a luxobarge? value, type of car etc.

For me anyway, it's the brands flagship saloon. 7 series, S class, A8, Lexus LS etc.

*Kol* · 18-10-2015 01:56PM

daRobot wrote: »

For me anyway, it's the brands flagship saloon. 7 series, S class, A8, Lexus LS etc.

That would be my idea of a luxobarge too.

In fairness though, apart from the big engine what equipment would a luxobarge have in addition to a really well specced non luxobarge?

Edit. I am not directing that at you daRobot. Just tagging onto your post.

bazz26 · 18-10-2015 02:03PM

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Actually my car has most of that and more....
Auto xenon lights with cornering and coming/leaving home functions, auto wipers, front/rear parking sensors with display, folding/electic mirrors with auto-dimming and they even dip when you stick it in reverse to make parking easier, full color screen, multi-zone climate, Bose Audio with USB connections, electronic handbrake, DSG-style gearbox with paddle shifts, leather electric memory seats, electric rear sunblinds etc

Trying to find a modern equivalent with all that is nigh on impossible IMO. I'll probably need to trade up to an A8 next because it has a higher base spec.

As above, my issue is finding a newer car in the same bracket with all that

Ah yes... I still get a smile from mine every day almost 3 years later. Still looks fresh, the interior has worn very well, and with nearly 300,000km on her she still runs perfectly, and the extra power is very handy when you need it, not to mention far more comfortable on a motorway trip.

If anything, it has me spoiled and going to anything less would be VERY hard - hence why I'm considering A8's and even CLS Mercs as possible replacements (at some stage next year ideally).

You would be surprised the number of cars that have most of those features these days. My nearly 5 year old modest F10 has most of that in it and VW were offering them as part of a free upgrade on Golfs and Passats earlier in the year. Your biggest problem will be finding a post 2007 big engine. They are all down scaling on engine capacity nowadays in favor of extra turbos and whatever.

Marty McFly · 18-10-2015 03:58PM

I've never owned a luxobarge but have always said I see myself in one someday.

I'm slowly moving towards one first wanted something fast so git the 330i then came two kids now in a 530D I did consider a 7 series briefly running costs did worry me a but in saying that can't imagine it being to more expensive than my last or current car.

I'll always stop and admire a luxobarge though the refinement and comfort are very appealing I like to think of myself in one when I'm grey.

I'd much rather drive a ten year old luxobarge than any brand new middle range Opel or ford.

Trojan · 18-10-2015 04:08PM

I thought the whole point of a luxobarge is that you're getting a better specced car than you could with a larger budget for a more modern car. The comfort, build quality and large engine are important, but so are the PDC, CC, GPS, etc. Otherwise surely you're talking about bangernomics, not luxobarge, which is a different argument.

Truckermal · 18-10-2015 04:32PM

Silly argument OP my GS cost 3.5K and has way more extras than our new Audi which cost 40K and is well specced for the particular model. I love driving my car especially the power, comfort, refinement and I could go on..

Eric Cartman · 18-10-2015 04:43PM

the OP's post is laughable really.

My 1999 e38 7 Series has :

3 zone climate control
front and rear parking sensors
servotronic steering
traction control
Xenon headlights
widescreen display
satellite navigation with TMC and 2015 maps
reversing camera
AV input
heated front and rear seats
power adjustable seats front and rear (including headrest adjustment and rear lumbar support)
interior comfort lighting (footwells, led illumination of the console, door handles in and out
enough nappa leather that it would have killed half a herd to make
soft close boot
keyless entry
volumetric alarm
immobiliser (can even set a code that has to be entered before it starts)
separate woofers and tweeters in each door (soon to be the more advanced DSP system that has even more)
iPod kit including control
bluetooth.

all OEM with the exception of the iPod kit and the physical reversing camera itself (OEM camera is serious cash, ebay one was 50 notes)

you'd be hard pushed to find even 90% of that list on a brand new car for under 45k today.
I bought mine for just under a grand , and with extras and bits I'm just under 5k piled into it , flew through 2 nct's , the tax is a bit annoying but its the price I pay for some that lovely 3.5 V8 pushing me about.

bmstuff · 18-10-2015 05:36PM

That's how you do it :cool:

4.4L V8 from the previous century with 2015 navigation system from BMW F15, fully functional. High definition screen, reverse camera, digital TV, digital radio, navigation etc
The hell with their electronic parking brake that breaks all the time :eek: And their timing chains :rolleyes:

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nbt_1__56607.1431889193.1280.1280.jpg?c=2

jimgoose · 18-10-2015 05:55PM

I wish I had that Focus. Then I could sell it and buy four beautiful Jaaaaags.

737max · 18-10-2015 06:00PM

Calling my post laughable or silly isn't really going to convince anyone least of all me.

Since last posting I did a 60km round trip in comfort at motorway speeds listening to my Bose sound system(harmon kardon in the other one) with the gearbox shifting itself while key remains in pocket and all done at 4.7l/100KM while avoiding traffic jams using the built-in sat-nav. With panoramic sunroof above me and heated sport seats below me I was happy as a pig in sh1te.
This isn't bragging as the class of car which I drive is attainable for most people on moderate incomes these days.
There is a reason why the demand for vehicles above a certain size is shrinking as time goes by.

jimgoose · 18-10-2015 06:02PM

737max wrote: »

Calling my post laughable or silly isn't really going to convince anyone least of all me.

Since last posting I did a 60km round trip in comfort at motorway speeds listening to my Bose sound system(harmon kardon in the other one) with the gearbox shifting itself while key remains in pocket and all done at 4.7l/100KM while avoiding traffic jams using the built-in sat-nav. With panoramic sunroof above me and heated sport seats below me I was happy as a pig in sh1te.
This isn't bragging as the class of car which I drive is attainable for most people on moderate incomes these days.
There is a reason why the demand for vehicles above a certain size is shrinking as time goes by.

Couldn't care less. It's not a Jaaaaag.

Eric Cartman · 18-10-2015 06:10PM

737max wrote: »

Calling my post laughable or silly isn't really going to convince anyone least of all me.

Since last posting I did a 60km round trip in comfort at motorway speeds listening to my Bose sound system(harmon kardon in the other one) with the gearbox shifting itself while key remains in pocket and all done at 4.7l/100KM while avoiding traffic jams using the built-in sat-nav. With panoramic sunroof above me and heated sport seats below me I was happy as a pig in sh1te.
This isn't bragging as the class of car which I drive is attainable for most people on moderate incomes these days.
There is a reason why the demand for vehicles above a certain size is shrinking as time goes by.

and with the exception of the sunroof being panoramic I and others can happily do all of that at 11l/100km but with the lovely note of 8 cylinders banging away and a car that still turns heads despite stopping production almost 15 years ago. and all of that is just at cruising speed. I have the sheer childish joy of hitting the loud peddle and grinning from ear to ear, an option which almost no 4 banger will ever deliver.

Hachiko · 18-10-2015 06:24PM

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

I'd agree with some of this... as the owner of a 2005 3.0 TDI A6 the fuel bill is significant (but then I do anywhere from 1000-1500km a week), the tax bill is extortionate (€1600 a year or €420 every quarter), and now that she's over 10 years, an annual NCT has to be factored in alright.

Actually my car has most of that and more....
Auto xenon lights with cornering and coming/leaving home functions, auto wipers, front/rear parking sensors with display, folding/electic mirrors with auto-dimming and they even dip when you stick it in reverse to make parking easier, full color screen, multi-zone climate, Bose Audio with USB connections, electronic handbrake, DSG-style gearbox with paddle shifts, leather electric memory seats, electric rear sunblinds etc

Trying to find a modern equivalent with all that is nigh on impossible IMO. I'll probably need to trade up to an A8 next because it has a higher base spec.

No disrespect but my 7 year old Lexus has most of that and its not even a barge.

A Luxobarge is a different kettle of fish than most modern main stream cars that the OP pointed out, even ones fully kitted out. The ride and build quality will be far better. He never said what barge he actually drives which could have a bearing on things.

Marty McFly · 18-10-2015 06:33PM

Eric Cartman wrote: »

and with the exception of the sunroof being panoramic I and others can happily do all of that at 11l/100km but with the lovely note of 8 cylinders banging away and a car that still turns heads despite stopping production almost 15 years ago. and all of that is just at cruising speed. I have the sheer childish joy of hitting the loud peddle and grinning from ear to ear, an option which almost no 4 banger will ever deliver.

As much as I love a good petrol engine and no diesel ever comes close in terms of the smile a good petrol can bring to your face.

For me a luxobarge doesn't have to be petrol I'd still be quite happy in a diesel a8 or 7 series

pablo128 · 18-10-2015 06:34PM

ba_barabus wrote: »

I bet it's a Pug 607

Nah, I'm guessing a Ford Scorpio.:pac:

Luxobarges are more trouble that they are worth

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